Ho Chi Minh City eyes enhanced cooperation with EU

Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan speaks at the meeting with ambassadors and representatives from the EU member nations in Vietnam. (Credit: tuoitre.vn)

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NDO/VNA – Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has asked the European Union (EU) to support the city in applying the 4th Industrial Revolution’s achievements in its economic development.

During a reception for a delegation of ambassadors and representatives from the EU member countries in Vietnam, on January 11, Nhan highlighted the Vietnam-EU relations and the importance of the Union and each of its members in particular for Vietnam.

While briefing the guests on the city’s socio-economic development, he called on the EU member nations to invest in infrastructure development in the city, especially in the construction of its urban rail transport.

The city has planned to develop six metro lines, which will need financial assistance and cooperation from the EU member states, he said, adding that the municipal authority also wants to cooperate with the EU in climate change adaptation, flooding, and education-training.

He added that the municipal authority has outlined a project to build high-tech centres in District 9 and District 2, which will be the foundation for the city to join the realisation of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

For his part, Ambassador Bruno Angelet, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, praised Vietnam’s success in hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017, and spotlighted the trade ties between Vietnam and the EU in the year.

He also pointed out several common targets of Vietnam and the EU in international integration; energy self-control; security-defence and diplomacy, affirming that the EU always supports Vietnam to reach the country’s objectives.

The two sides should outline a cooperation plan to implement the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), and look towards the official signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, he said.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Reconstruction Bank are financing a number of metro projects in HCM City, he said, pledging that the EU will work with the EIB to support the city in the projects.

The host revealed that an investment cooperation forum between HCM City and partners from the EU, and an annual meeting between the city’s leaders and representatives from the EU member nations will be arranged in the near future.